Fort Fright at Michilimackinac

Friday, October 11, 2013toSaturday, October 12, 2013

On October 11th and 12th; Colonial Michilimackinac will be transformed into a haunted habitat where werewolves, witches, and other legendary characters roam. Operating under the name “ Fort Fright ” for these two nights, the 18th-century fort and fur trading village will be open from 6:30 to 9:00 p.m., with admission set at $18 for families, $6 for adults, $3 for youth (5-17), and free for children 4 and under.

The characters that will be seen and talked about throughout the evening are drawn from a book called Were-Wolves and Will-o-the-Wisps: French Tales of Mackinac Retold, which was authored by Dirk Gringhuis and published by Mackinac State Historic Parks in 1974. “The book describes the best-known legends in French-Canadian folklore,” explained Brisson, “like the man who can change into a wolf, the ghostly light known as ‘will o’ the wisp,’ and the good and bad goblins called ‘lutins.’” Many of these legends spread to other countries, Brisson noted, and some are still believed in today—with a twist. “For instance, Gringuis’ book tells us that black cats—now thought of as bringing bad luck—were originally considered the best of the good lutins.”

Priced at $6 a copy, the softbound Were-Wolves and Will-o-the-Wisps will be available for purchase at the Visitor’s Center on the nights of the event.

Information is available at 231-436-4100 or on the web at www.MackinacParks.com.